Kelly wins; SCC loses in opening round of Oran Tournament

Scott County Central's Marcus Warren (3) and Kelly's Michael Dollins (1) battle for the ball during the Hawks' 64-22 victory at KHS on Thursday, Dec. 15. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

ORAN, Mo. — Despite a slow start that tested its mettle, Kelly defeated Westwood Baptist in the opening round of the 68th Annual Oran Invitational on Monday, Nov. 27.

The top-seeded Hawks’ (1-0) balanced offensive attack proved to be the key to unlocking the 58-42 victory, as four players reached double figures scoring to propel them past the eighth-seeded Eagles (0-2).

“We played sluggish,” said first-year Kelly coach Noal Trimmer. “I attribute that to a very good defensive effort by Westwood. They are much better than the eighth seed. They did a great job of taking away our inside game and we didn't shoot well from the perimeter.”

Despite Westwood Baptist's strong defense, Kelly's varied offensive attack proved too much to handle. Point guard Michael Dollins led the Hawks with 20 points, while Ross Peters added 14 points and Dalton Forck chipped in with 12. Reece Eftink's 11 points rounded out the offense.

Kelly will face the winner of fourth-seeded Oran (0-0) and fifth-seeded Bell City (0-0) on Thursday, Nov. 30 in a semifinal.

Rebels defeat Braves

The second-seeded Richland boys’ basketball won 80-55 over seventh-seeded Scott County Central in the opening round of the 68th Annual Oran Invitational Tournament on Monday, Nov. 27.

The Rebels (1-0) were led in scoring by Hunter Sanders (24), Eric Williams (20), Tucker Hughes (17) and Gary Tilley (11).

The Braves (0-1) were paced by Marcus Warren and Asher Britt with 21 and 13, respectively

Richland will face third-seeded Chaffee (1-0) in a semifinal on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m.

SCC will take on sixth-seeded Advance (0-1) in the consolation bracket on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

KELLY 58, WESTWOOD BAPTIST 42

Westwood Baptist (42) — James Hawley 21, Chris Webster 6, Ben Jones 4, Alexander Carson 4, Robbie Dodd 3, Gage Barker 2. FG: 17. FT 4-8. F: 14. (3-pointers: Hawley 3, Dood 1. Fouled out: none).

Kelly (58) — Michael Dollins 20, Ross Peters 14, Dalton Forck 12, Reece Eftink 11, Gavin Dugan 1. FG: 23. FT: 11-15. F: 12. (3-pointers: Dollins 1. Fouled out: none).

RICHLAND 80, SCC 55

SCC (55) — Marcus Warren 21, Asher Britt 13, Cortavian Banks 7, Zavior Mize 6, Ty Murray 3, Cameron Bean 3, Courtney Sanders 2. FG: 23. FT: 5-14. F: 15. (3-pointers: Mize 2, Bean 1, Banks 1. Fouled out: none).

Richland (80) — Hunter Sanders 24, Eric Williams 20, Tucker Hughes 17, Gary Tilley 11, Jaden Pope 6, Jayden Robinson 2. FG: 33. FT: 9-17. F: 14. (3-pointers: Sanders 4, Tilley 1. Fouled out: none).